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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas

Wednesday, June 11, 2003

Rodeo, July 4 events top Chamber agenda

By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer

PECOS, Wed., June 11, 2003 -- Plans are underway for the West of the Pecos Rodeo and the events surrounding it and organizers are excited about the new things added.

"There will be three local events at the rodeo," said Chamber of Commerce Director Linda Gholson, during the regular Pecos Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting held at noon Tuesday.

Gholson dispelled a rumor that has been circulating about the rodeo being cancelled this year. "There have been rumors to that effect and we just wanted to clear the air," said Gholson. "The stock contractor, Terry Walls did have a tennis-ball size brain tumor removed and he will be here during the rodeo, but his son, Trent will be taking care of everything," said Gholson.

Gholson said that Walls had come through surgery fine, but would be unable to take care of the rodeo. "But his son will do all that and we're looking forward to having them in Pecos again," she said.

Tickets for the West of the Pecos Rodeo will go on sale, Monday, June 16, at the Pecos Chamber of Commerce Office, 111 S. Cedar. "Individuals that want to participate in the local events can sign up at the chamber office," said Gholson.

Gholson said that a Tejano dance will also be a part of the rodeo events this year with the band "Control" providing the music.

"Ticket sales for that will go on pretty quickly," said Gholson.

West of the Pecos Parade chairman Kathy Hurley told the group that they are having a raffle sale. "Tickets can be purchased for the raffle and the prize is $100 worth of groceries at La Tienda," said Hurley.

Hurley said that the parade judges had also been chosen and had agreed to be in Pecos on that day. Judges for the event will be Jay Hendricks from Channel 9 News, Louie Carlos of Telemundo and Sam Conn from Channel 7 News.

"This will give us a lot of publicity from the local television stations and we're really excited that they will be here," said Hurley.

Gholson told the group that the rodeo president had reported that the books closed for the rodeo and there were 581 cowboys that signed up. "That's 100 more than last year and he's (rodeo president) is really happy about that," said Gholson.

"I think we're going to have a fine rodeo this year," she said.

Debbie Thomas said that she had assigned 20 booths for Night in Old Pecos. "They always wait until the last day to come in and sign up for a booth, so we're not worried," said Thomas. "Right now, we're looking for more activities for the children," she said.

Kevin Duke told the group about the recent promotion in Pecos involving "Pecos Bucks."

"When you bought a car at Colt, you would get $300 in Pecos Bucks," said Duke. "I'm just letting you know that they are around in the community," said Duke.

Pecos Bucks are certificates that can be purchased at the chamber office and then redeemed at different businesses in Pecos. "This helps the local merchants and they are great as gifts and drawings," said Gholson.

The Pecos Bucks have a special seal on them, so they can't be duplicated. "And nobody can redeem them for cash, they have to be spent at the local merchants," said Gholson.

Duke said that they had sold three Buicks thanks to the Pecos Bucks. "It was a really good promotion," he said. "It's an incentive for businesses in the community," he said.

Hurley told the group that the Melodrama had been moved to the Pecos Elementary instead of Bessie Haynes. "The melodrama which is held in conjunction with the rodeo, was supposed to be held at Bessie Haynes, but now it will be at the Pecos Elementary School,"said Hurley.

The Air National Guard brass quintet and concert bands will be performing in Pecos during the Fourth of July events. "The quintet will be performing at the Old Timer's Reunion and the concert band will be playing at the sheriff's posse and they're going to feed them, which is really nice," said Gholson.

Local scouts to hold flag retirement ceremony Saturday

PECOS, Wed., June 11, 2003 -- Patriots take note - Pecos Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts will be retiring torn and tattered flags this coming Saturday in the manner dictated by the scouting manuals and tradition.

Jay Spence, former cub master here in Pecos and still a member of Cub Scout Pack 191's committee, started the ball rolling toward this day several months ago.

Spence said that after 9/11 there has been an increase in flag flying and hence, an increase in the number of flags that need to be retired.

"You do not just throw a flag in the trash can," he said.

Knowing when to retire a flag is not exactly science.

"According to the Scout manual it is a judgment call - when the condition of the flag no longer represents the honor and respect the flag deserves," he said.

Torn, tattered and soiled flags need to be retired.

"Not many flags can survive for long in Pecos with the winds," he said.

"A few months ago I noticed that we had several flags here at the bank (Security State Bank) that needed to be retired and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to teach the boys how to properly retire a flag," he said.

"It started out as cub scouting thing," Spence said. "Then the Girl Scouts heard about it and several members of the local troops wanted to learn how to do it and then the VFW heard about it and they have some flags they would like to retire, so it has grown into a community project."

"We decided to do it on Flag Day since that is the traditional day to retire flags," he said.

While June 14 is the traditional day for flag retirements, a flag can be retired on any day so long as the proper formalities are observed.

According to the Scouting handbook there are several steps to properly retiring a flag.

First the field of blue should be cut from the flag. Then each stripe should be cut apart. The stripes are then burned first and then the field of blue with the stars. The entire flag should be burned until only ashes remain.

The ceremony is supposed to be done in silence showing the proper respect for the flag, he said.

Spence said he feels it is important to show that respect.

"This is the symbol of our nation - the symbol of our freedom that our soldiers have fought and died for. It deserves the utmost respect," Spence said.

Spence does not know how many flags will be retired on Saturday but expects quite a few. "We will also be retiring Texas flags. We will prepare all but one or two of the flags in advance but all of the flags will be burned at the same time," he said.

Spence said that citizens could bring their flags to the ceremony but asked that the flags be brought to Security State Bank so that they could be prepared in advance.

"This is for all of Pecos. Everyone is invited and I hope to see a lot of patriots on Saturday."

The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Girl Scout Hut at 715 S. Park and will continue until the cub scouts and girl scouts have retired all of the flags.

Spence said he anticipated the ceremony would take about an hour but that it would depend on how many flags there were to retire.

Council meeting at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow

PECOS, Wed., June 11, 2003 -- The Town of Pecos City Council will hold its regular council meeting tomorrow, June 12, at 7 a.m., in council chambers to discuss and consider the final changes order for the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

During the morning meeting, council members will also appoint a Mayor Pro Tem. Currently Councilman Gerald Tellez holds that office.

The council will also discuss and consider naming the Skateboard Park, which will be located on 7th and Park behind the Girl Scout Hut, and the request for closure of streets for Night in Old Pecos.

The minutes of the council's regular meeting held on May 22, the accounts payable report and the juvenile monthly report for May are also on the agenda.

City, School programs keeping kids busy

By KRISTEN CARREON
Staff Writer

PECOS, Wed., June 11, 2003 -- Many children are being kept busy this summer with a variety of sporting activities. Both the school and the city are offering programs for children age 4 through grade 12.

The school system is offering volleyball, basketball, track, golf, tennis, and swimming. Coaches along with some students are heading these activities.

The summer golf program has already begun; therefore, Nora Geron, head of the city's recreation department, stated that she will not begin the city's golf program until it is over.

"There's no use in splitting the kids," she said.

Geron also plans on starting a basketball league once the school basketball program has ended. Students going into the 7th grade through grade 10 will be able to participate.

"This is something that will prepare them for sports taking place during the school year."

Geron has many other activities going on for the city's youth. The city offers activities ranging from softball and racquetball to tumbling.

"We have a traveling softball team of 13- and 14-year-old girls. We have 13 players, but we have room for 15," she said.

Unlike the school-run programs, locals run these activities. "I look for people who know how to play a sport and try to get a program going." Geron said that she also tries to get college kids to teach these activities.

Geron stated that she was looking for other activities to provide for the children.

"I am looking for a modern dance instructor for kids 4-to-14." This class would be offered for both boys and girls. Non-sporting activities such as chess were offered last year, but little interest was shown. "I am not sure whether we will have chess again."

Both the city and the school programs have had a good turn out. "This gives the kids something to do, and parents are ready to enroll their kids to keep them busy," Geron said.

City council will discuss final change for project

By JENNIFER GALVAN
Staff Writer

PECOS, Wed., June 11, 2003 -- When the Town of Pecos City Council holds it regular council meeting tomorrow, June 12, they will discuss and consider a final change for the Housing Infrastructure project which calls for an additional $2,000.

"The project is coming in at $2,000 more then what the contract states," Town of Pecos City Manager, Carlos Yerena said today.

The Housing Infrastructure project, which is located in the 800 and 900 blocks of West Washington Street, behind Gibson's True Value, began back in January with the construction of the streets, the installing of the fire hydrants,water and sewer lines.

"In a couple of weeks the installing of the electricity will begin," Yerena said.

He added that Texas-New Mexico Power Company would be installing the infrastructure of the electricity but that it would be up to the homeowner choose a supplier of electricity.

The Housing Infrastructure project was awarded to Reece Albert Construction out of Midland for $344,198 back in October of 2002.

The decision to begin the project was so that it would help alleviate the city's lack of affordable housing in good condition.

The project calls for 20 homes with the same layout, he said.

"Eleven of the homes are for low-to-moderate income families," Yerena said.

Those interested in applying for a home can call City Hall and ask to speak with City Secretary Connie Levario.

"We will help them get qualified with the USDA," Yerena said. "If they then qualify they can receive a one percent interest rate."

He added that the remainder of the homes could be occupied by anyone wanting to live in the area.

The project is completely funded through a grant entitled Office of Rural Community Affairs provided by the state, Yerena said.

Yerena said that they would begin construction on the infrastructure in August and would work as quickly as possible but the number of homes built would depend on the demand for the homes.

"We are going to build them as they sell," Yerena said. "We are going to start with one home."

Bake sale fundraiser for 10 year reunion

PECOS, Wed., June 11, 2003 -- A bake sale fundraiser will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, June 14, at Wal-Mart.

The fundraiser is sponsored by the class of 1993 for their 10-year reunion.

All proceeds will go towards the reunion cost.

Weather

PECOS, Wed., June 11, 2003 -- Tuesday's high 100, lows 63. Today partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph increasing to 10 to 20 mph in the Afternoon. Tonight mostly clear. Lows in the mid 60s. West winds 10 to 20 Mph. Thursday partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the Upper 0s.West winds 10 to 20 mph. Thursday night...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 60s. Friday mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 90s. Saturday partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. Highs in the mid 90s.



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